March 18, 2008

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee's season was littered with blown leads and uninspired play.

Coach Pat Summitt thinks the Lady Vols didn't start playing like a national championship contender until the Southeastern Conference tournament two weeks ago. She also thinks winning the conference tournament title will give her players the momentum they need to reach the national championship game for a second consecutive season.

"I think winning the SEC was good for them. Sometimes I think a team needs a loss. In that case I thought they needed a win," Summitt said Tuesday. "I think they needed to feel really good about themselves as they go in knowing they're the defending national champions."

Top-seeded Tennessee (30-2) faces No. 16 Oral Roberts (19-13) in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Lady Vols had just the right motivation in the SEC tournament: A chance to get revenge over LSU, the team that grabbed the conference regular season title with a win over Tennessee.

That was after a season that saw big leads against top opponents like Rutgers and LSU disappear, flat play in a loss at Stanford and lack of effort against teams that should have been outmatched.

"At times I've been frustrated, and this team knows it," Summitt said.

If feeling good about the SEC title isn't enough, the players say they have something else to motivate them.

As they sat through the NCAA tournament bracket announcements on Monday night, they heard a lot of talk about rival Connecticut's dominance in women's basketball this season and watched analysts pick other teams to reach the national championship.

"It's motivation," All-American forward Candace Parker said. "I'm excited they didn't pick us. We're the defending champions. Obviously we still have more respect to earn. We're into doing extra credit I guess."

Summitt said she likes her players' attitude right now and the chemistry they have on the practice court.

She was meeting with her players both individually and as a team this week before the team travels to Indiana, talking to them about what strengths they can bring to tournament play.

She's even got a name for how she wants her players to handle the NCAA tournament.

"I reminded them that we're going to do this 'potluck style,' so you've got to bring your best dish or dishes," Summitt said. "Think about what you're going to bring to the team, and accountability will be in place."